# NTSB MIA97LA029: Luscombe 8A, N1378K, Charlotte, NC, November 24, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 24, 1996, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Charlotte, NC - Coordinates: 35.169757, -80.800468 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1698&lon=-80.8005&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 30, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38181 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA97LA029 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38181/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA029 ## Probable cause failure of the pilot maintain directional control of the aircraft, while landing. The proximity of trees was a related factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot realized he had a tailwind while on short final approach and continued the approach to landing. During landing, he lost directional control of the aircraft, and it went off the runway and collided with trees. ## Factual narrative On November 24, 1996, about 1400 eastern standard time, a Luscombe 8A, N1378K, registered to a private owner, ran off the runway and collided with trees, when control was lost during landing at Goose Creek Airport, Charlotte, North Carolina, while on a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the airline transport-rated pilot and one passenger were not injured. The flight originated from Lancaster, South Carolina, the same day about 1330. The pilot stated that on landing rollout the aircraft veered to the left. Full right rudder did not correct the left veer and the aircraft went off the side of the runway. He applied full engine power in an attempt to go-around, but the left wing contacted trees and the aircraft came to rest. He stated that on short final approach he realized that a tailwind existed, but he did not do a go-around at that time. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1378K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1378K), registered now, S/N 4105, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Luscombe 8A - Registry model: [Luscombe 8A](https://openairdocs.org/model/luscombe-8a) (registry code 8190104) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 4105 - Airframe hours: 2426 - Engines: Continental C-85-8F 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: James M. Hocutt - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 25, 1996, 29 hours before - Departed: SC76, LANCASTER, SC - Destination: 28A - Airport: 28A, Goose Creek, runway 4, 2,350 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 25; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,732 total, 99 in this make and model, 2,730 as pilot in command, 367 in the last 90 days, 132 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 10 knots - Visibility: 25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: CLT, 20 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19961124036289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961124036289A), Nov 24, 1996: Luscom 8A, Indian Trail, NC, Destroyed. Aircraft ran off the runway on landing. (-23) aircraft was landing on runway 4. It touched down approximately one third of the way down the runway. As the… ## Other investigations on N1378K (2) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB DIA68F0097](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DIA68F0097), Oct 9, 1967: Luscombe 8A (N1378K), Richmond, VA, substantial damage - [NTSB UNK64X2357](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X2357), Jun 18, 1964: Luscombe 8A (N1378K), Monroe, LA, substantial damage From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.